First Conference on Wireless Data Operating Systems Records Success
BROOKDALE, Calif. — July 1, 1997 — Approximately 150 people attended the first Outlook on Wireless OS '97 conference last week to hear officials from operating system companies that are enabling their systems for wireless discuss the growth of opportunities for wireless software developers and share their visions on the directions the industry is now taking.
The conference, presented by wireless technology analysts and newsletter publishers Andrew M. Seybold and Alan A. Reiter with the cosponsorship of Wireless Week magazine and the WirelessNOW Internet news service, took place June 24, 1997, at the Marriott Great America Hotel, Santa Clara, Calif.
"The response to the conference concept and to the presentations by the various speakers was overwhelmingly favorable and to us, extremely gratifying," Seybold said. "We are now planning to repeat the event in a longer form — one and one-half or two days — early in 1998."
Speakers included representatives from the Newton Systems Group of Apple Computer, the Internet Center of Ericsson Inc., Geoworks, Microsoft, Microware, Motorola, Nokia, Psion, Research In Motion, Starfish Software, Sun Microsystems, Telxon and Unwired Planet. Starfish chairman/chief executive officer Philippe Kahn delivered a luncheon keynote address.
Said Bjorn Nordwall, director of wireless data terminals at Ericsson Inc.: "The amount of information the conference was able to cover in one day was impressive and I am looking forward to the next one. A lot of issues came up, and while they were not necessarily stated, you could listen to the presentations and get a consensus of what they are and what needs to be done. There was a lot of commonality in the expressed points of view."
Nokia R&D manager Mike Linstron said: "As someone who is going to use the technology and needs to know what's going on, I found it extremely valuable. The conference was able to pack a lot of information into a single-day program."
Brian Cotton, wireless industry manager at Frost & Sullivan, felt that the conference provided "…a comprehensive view of the wireless data industry. I came away with a better perspective on what is out there and what it means. It has also helped me to know where to start when I need information — it's going to make my research efforts easier."
Stimulus for the one-day conference was the late-1996 introduction of Microsoft's Windows CE wireless device operating system; the launch of more than a half-dozen new handheld computers; and the soaring acceptance of Sun Microsystems' Java programming language, Reiter said.
"In the excitement generated around Windows CE and Java, it is important to remember that Microsoft and Sun Microsystems are not the only players on the field," he said. "The conference helped clarify that point, at the same time helping developers to identify promising opportunities in the wireless data industry."
Outlook on Wireless OS '97 participants each received a binder that includes presentation and auxiliary support materials. Audio tapes of the sessions will also be available.
For further information contact: Outlook on Wireless OS '97, c/o Andrew Seybold's Outlook, P.O. Box 917, Brookdale, Calif. 95007. Tel: 408/338-7701; Fax: 408/338-7806; e-mail: [email protected]. Additional information is posted on the Web at: www.outlook.com; and www.wirelessinternet.com .
CONTACT:
Victor Wortman Co., 310/393-6281
or
Ruth Johnson, 408/338-7701